November 19th, 1859—Mattie and Lucy do not like Miss Platt; she does not like them either and lets them see it. There is something strange about her; she does not care to sit with us at night and rarely speaks except to answer a question. I went to her room yesterday to carry her some [...]
November 7th, 1859—Well, in spite of Ossawatimie Brown and all the trouble his diabolical efforts have called up we have another governess from the North. She is not like anyone we have had before. I do not believe she has ever taught school in her life. She has no idea of discipline or order in [...]
October 28, 1859—Governor Wise and the Court in Virginia have condemned John Brown to death and he is to be hanged on the 2nd of December. The New York paper says he is a fanatic and believes he is right in trying to incite insurrection among the slaves of the South. I am sorry for [...]
October 18th, 1859—The horrible, horrible time that has come to us; our world seems turned topsy turvy. We feel that we can trust none of the dear black folks who, before this, we had relied on at every turn. I am afraid to say a word for fear it will prove to be just what [...]
July 4th, 1859 .—This is Father’s day to give the annual barbecue to all the Bradford black folks—all come from Live Oak Plantation, too. They number several hundred all told and vast preparation has to be made. We do not go to the barbecue for Father says we would spoil their pleasure. No white folks [...]
June 7th, 1859.—The wedding presents are coming in every day now, it is very interesting, such beautiful silver and jewels. I like Mr. Whitehead very much indeed. He is just a little older than sister Mag. Everybody makes jokes at them but they do not mind it. He has four brothers and they have all [...]
July 1st, 1858.—Uncle Tony has had another stroke of paralysis; this time it is much worse than before. He is Lulu’s father, and Mother has excused her from all duties in the house, that she may take care of him. Lulu’s house is just outside the back yard, it has one large room and two [...]
June 27th, 1858.—I have read a great deal in the two volumes of the Writings of John C. Calhoun and Father has told me still more. I have found out something else, Mother does not approve of slavery—she would be glad not to own a single slave, you see they are called slaves in these [...]
June 5th, 1858.—Sister Mag has a number of new songs and I always sit beside her when she is learning them, even if I have to study out of hours to get my lessons; last night, I sang one of these songs with her, she said I sang it all right. It is a patriotic [...]
September 22nd.—We came over to Portsmouth yesterday on a large steamer. We reached here in the afternoon and as soon as the hotel people recognized Grandpa they sent large trays filled with delicious things to eat as a compliment to him. I forgot to tell that the people everywhere know Grandpa and show him so [...]
September 15th.—I am glad I did not beg to go with father and the girls. Old Point Comfort is a most interesting place. Fortress Monroe, with its moat is not like anything I ever saw before, the general commanding is an old friend of Grandpa’s and he lets us look over the fort and see [...]
June 5th, 1857.—Our black folks are all sorry we are going away, I hope Aunt Dinah will take good care of Lavinia. I have given her the trunkful of clothes for they will be too small for her by the time we get back. I am wondering, too, what will become of me without my [...]
May 29th, 1857.—We are really going to North Carolina and Father is going with us this time. It is almost. too good to be true. There is one cloud in my sky. Mother says we must take Frances with us that she may see her mother and grandmother. Now, Frances is very bad and nobody [...]
January 24th (1856).—Uncle Bailey is here. He came last night and brought Aunt Eliza and Eddie. He is going to leave them with us for a good long while. The people of Jefferson have had some trouble with the Abolitionists. Why can’t they stay at the North and let our people alone? Uncle Bailey was [...]
Warning The following post contains wording that is offensive to many in the world of today. However, the post is provided unedited for its historical content and context. (1855) December 20th.—I know a little bit now. It is something Uncle Kinchen found out and told Grandpa. It is about those same Abolitionists and it must [...]
(1855) December 10th.—There is trouble in the air but I cannot find out just what it is. The grown folks keep very quiet when we children are around and if they are talking when we come into the room they stop right away; I wonder what it is? When I asked father, he said, “Some [...]
October 6th, 1855.—School once more—Aunt Robinson “at the helm” as Captain West says. Mrs. Woods, who taught my older sisters when they were too small to be sent off to boarding school, is here on a visit. Something funny has happened. Mrs. Woods came in one morning and handed father a book, she said she [...]
July 10th, 1855.—After school was out yesterday, mother said as my reports were so good, I might have Lavinia to play with. She is seven months old now, and she is beautiful. Her brown skin is so smooth and ?ne, her hair is black and curly, and she has dimples in both cheeks. I love [...]
(1855) June 6th.—I have found out a little more about that “Abolition crew” Fannie talked about; last night I fell asleep on the sofa in the front room at aunt Margaret’s and nobody found me and when I woke mother and uncle Daniel were talking. He said, “These abolitionists are everywhere through the South. Sooner [...]
(1855) May 29th, 1855.—We have been here in Tennessee for some weeks. Father did not come with us as he expected to do. At the last something happened which made it necessary for him to stay at home. When I asked mother what it was, she did not tell me, but Fannie told me, one [...]